AMC renews ‘Comic Book Men,’ ‘Talking’

Unscripted series performed solidly on Sundays

AMC has renewed unscripted series “Comic Book Men” and “Talking Dead” for second seasons of 16 halfhours apiece.

“Comic,” exec produced by Kevin Smith, Elyse Seiden and Charlie Corwin’s Original Media, drew 2 million viewers for its initial airing Feb. 12, with AMC hit “The Walking Dead” as a lead-in. Over its six-episode run, set at Smith’s New Jersey comic shop, “Comic” averaged 1.5 million viewers for first-run episodes.

“AMC set out to build shows around authentic characters and original worlds, and ‘Comic Book Men’ really delivers on both of these,” AMC original programming, production and digital content EVP Joel Stillerman said. “Charlie Corwin and Kevin have created a truly unique show that is funny and informative – whether you like comic books or not; and the guys from The Stash are the kind of real life experts we always wanted to build the show around.”

“Talking Dead,” the live discussion show that serves as a postgame companion to “Walking Dead,” drew 4.3 million viewers March 18 after the season finale of “Walking Dead” garnered 9 million. Michael Davies exec produces, with Chris Hardwick hosting.

“‘Talking Dead’ is just great synergy,” Stillerman said. “and it gives our audience a destination to continue the conversation about ‘The Walking Dead.’ We are thrilled that Chris is back to lead the discussion. He is genuinely knowledgeable about the genre, and truly entertaining.”